Garrett County may not be on board with regional lobbyist
Commissioners will discuss issue over next several weeks, reports administrator
Matthew Bieniek Cumberland Times-News
OAKLAND —Garrett County leaders have not committed to join with other Western Maryland counties to hire a lobbyist to represent the region, County Ad-ministrator Monty Pag-enhardt said late last week. He said statements that the five counties had reached a consensus about hiring a lobbyist were incorrect.
“The Board of Garrett County Commissioners has asked that I let you all know that no final decision has been reached on participating in the five Western Maryland counties funding of a paid lobbyist. … The board has taken the matter under advisement and will be discussing in the next few weeks,” Pagenhardt wrote in an email.
“We’ve had no discussion and our commissioners have some real questions … we have not agreed and may not agree to hiring a lobbyist,” Pagenhardt said in a phone interview.
Last week, Allegany County Commissioner Michael McKay said Allegany County planned to join other counties in hiring a Western Maryland lobbyist. McKay did not say the counties had formally agreed to the idea. The plan was for each of the five counties to put about $5,000 into the till to hire a lobbyist to represent the interests of the region in Annapolis.
The five Western Maryland counties are Garrett, Allegany, Washington, Frederick and Carroll. A few thousand of the total will also help pay for an “event” hosted by the counties aimed at highlighting Western Maryland.
“It’s unfortunate, but that’s the way things work down there,” McKay said of the event.
The lobbying effort will be focused on the Maryland General Assembly session of 2012, McKay said.
The counties will probably come to a decision about their plans in October, McKay said. He’ll be part of a meeting of Western Maryland commission presidents planned for early October.
The idea of hiring a lobbyist started at this year’s Maryland Association of Counties meeting over the summer. County leaders discussed significant issues, including the controversial PlanMaryland. The discussions solidified the similarity of interests be-tween the counties, McKay said, which are dominated by rural landscapes and have strong agricultural roots. Many of the more rural counties believe PlanMaryland will usurp local planning decisions.
McKay said after further meetings he’ll have a better idea about possible candidates and the price to be paid for the hired hand in Annapolis.
In the past, Allegany County has at times hired a lobbyist, the most recent being former House Speaker Casper Taylor Jr., although the contract was with the firm for which Taylor works, Alexander and Cleaver. The firm was paid $17,000 a year and expenses, according to past Times-News reports. That contract began in 2008 and has subsequently expired.
Contact Matthew Bieniek at mbieniek@times-news.com
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Transportation Museum of the Garrett County Historical Society was officially opened
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The new Transportation Museum of the Garrett County Historical Society was officially opened and dedicated during a special ceremony held Saturday afternoon. Among the honored guests were the children of Howard and Audrey Naylor, as the majority of the funding for the new structure came from the Howard and Audrey Naylor Family Trust. Conducting the ribbon-cutting in the photo above are, from left, Lon Naylor, Bart Naylor, Michael Naylor, Tyler Lupis (grandson of Lon Naylor), and Beth Naylor Watson. Special tribute was also made to Robert Boal, president of the society, who has led the effort to bring the museum to reality. Pictured below with Lon Naylor, Boal holds the plaque and photo which honors him for his work. Approximately 250 people were present for the grand opening.
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GC Commissioners Award Funding For After-School Progs.
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Sep. 29, 2011
For the third year in a row, the Board of Garrett County Commissioners has prioritized the need for after-school programming and have provided emergency funding to help keep programs operating in the communities of Accident, Grantsville, and Oakland.
“Many thanks go out to our new commissioners – Gregan Crawford, Bob Gatto, and Jim Raley,” said Crystal Stewart, president/CEO Garrett County Partnership for Children and Families.
The Partners After School (PAS) programs are funded through the Garrett County Partnership for Children and Families Inc./Local Management Board in collaboration with the Garrett County commissioners, Board of Education, Community Action Committee, GC Health Department, County United Way, and other partners.
“The PAS programs provide a safe, supervised, and enriching environment for children during the high-risk after-school hours when many parents are still working,” Stewart said. “The programs offer comprehensive programming that focuses on academic achievement and school success, cultural enrichment, and positive youth development.”
Over the past few years, the PAS programs have suffered devastating budget reductions. Previously, the Partnership/LMB offered programs in six communities. As the result of funding limitations, only three programs were offered last year.
Until the commissioners allocated additional funding for the PAS programs last week, the Partnership/LMB had only $49,024 from the Governor’s Office for Children to provide half-year programs in Grantsville and Oakland. The additional $76,000 allocated by the Commissioners will allow these programs to continue through the school year and will also allow the continuation of the school-year program in Accident. These three PAS programs served 140 students last year, according to Stewart.
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Maryland state offices going off the bottle
Cost savings, environment prompt government move to tap water
By Timothy B. Wheeler, The Baltimore Sun
7:37 p.m. EDT, September 30, 2011
The O’Malley administration has decided to stop buying bottled water for state facilities where tap water is available, saying it’s striking a blow for frugality and the environment at the same time.
The state’s “Green Purchasing Committee,” formed last year to steer the government toward buying more healthful and environmentally friendly goods and services, voted Thursday to phase out the use of bottled water in state offices and other facilities, officials said.
The move was hailed by environmentalists, who said Maryland’s was the sixth state government to “kick the bottle,” as they put it, joining Connecticut, Vermont, New York, Colorado and Illinois.
“During these tough economic times our government should be spending scarce public dollars on projects that provide vital public services and grow the economy at large, not just the coffers for a handful of private corporations,” Kristin Urquiza of Corporate Accountability International, said in a statement announcing Maryland’s action.
More here.Buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland? Call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!
State school board releases progress results for 2010-11 term
“Garrett is the only school system in the state to have no schools identified as schools in need of improvement.”
Garrett ends year within goals set by officials
For the Cumberland Times-News Cumberland Times-News
OAKLAND — The Maryland State Department of Education on Friday released system level results regarding high school as-sessments and adequate yearly progress for the school year 2010-11.
In July, the state released results for Maryland school assessments and adequate yearly progress concerning elementary and middle schools.
Combining MSA and HSA, Garrett County is not a school system in system improvement status, the calculation used by the state to identify for improvement any school system that does not meet annual targets for two consecutive years in the same reported area at the elementary, middle and high school levels.
In order to meet the federal guidelines of No Child Left Behind, students in specified subgroups, including ra-cial/ethnic classifications, students eligible for free or reduced price meals, and students with special needs, must also meet the AYP goals.
Of the 15 schools in Garrett County, 12 schools made AYP for the 2010-11 school year. Dennett Road Elementary School and Northern and Southern middle schools did not meet AYP requirements in one or two subgroups and will be placed on local attention status for the 2011-12 school year.
With the release of the high school data, both Garrett County high schools made AYP status. The high schools made AYP, indicating that a significant number of students scored at the proficient and/or advanced levels in all nine subgroups in the reading and mathematics areas, including graduation rate, the high school assessments and alternate Maryland school assessment.
In 2009-10, Southern High School did not make AYP and was placed on local attention status. However, the school rebounded in 2010-11, showing proficiency in every category.
For the graduating class of 2011, 100 percent of the students met the HSA high school graduation requirement throughout the county by either passing all four subject tests, reaching a combined score of 1,602 on all four tests, or by completing bridge plan projects in the various subjects. Other data concerning high school assessments are as follows:
• 96.8 percent of the students met the HSA algebra requirement by passing the assessment or completing bridge plan projects.
• 96.6 percent of the students met the HSA biology requirement.
• 91.7 percent of the students met the HSA English requirement.
• 92.3 percent of the students met the HSA government requirement.
For high school AYP, 88.9 percent of the students scored at least proficient on the high school assessment in English. This was 9.4 percentage points above the state’s annual measurable objective of 79.5 percent.
In algebra, 87.6 percent of the students met the proficient mark on the high school assessment, which was 13.9 percentage points above the state’s goal of 73.7 percent. The high school cohort graduation rate was 92.8 percent in 2011, up from 88.8 percent in 2010.
In July, MSA reading and math scores at the elementary grade levels improved in 2011 compared to 2010 results. In reading, 90.2 percent of the elementary students scored at least proficient, up by 1.2 percent points from 2010.
In math, elementary students had 88.3 percent of the students at the proficiency level, a gain of 2.5 percentage points from the previous year.
MSA reading and math scores at the middle school level remained the same or dropped in 2011 compared to 2010. In reading, 89.1 percent of the middle school students scored at least proficient, the same as in 2010. In math, middle school students had 84.5 percent of the students at the proficiency level, a drop of less than a percentage point from the previous year.
Garrett is the only school system in the state to have no schools identified as schools in need of improvement.
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Intel Foundation Lists Crellin Elem. Among Nation's Most Innovative
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by Kyle Lantz
Crellin Elementary School is set to receive a $10,000 grant and $100,000 in donated equipment and professional resources from the Intel Foundation. This award comes after Crellin Elementary joined just six other schools from across the country to be named as one of the 2011 Intel Schools of Distinction.
Through this award, the Intel Corporation, which partners with sponsoring companies to distribute around $1 million in grants and awards each year, recognizes schools for the implementation of innovative math and science programs.
Crellin was chosen along with 17 other finalists to attend Intel’s award ceremony last week (Sept. 20) in Washington, D.C., where winners were announced. Representing Garrett County at the ceremony were school system administrators and Crellin Elementary teachers, including the school’s principal, Dr. Dana McCauley.
“It was really a humbling experience and a privilege to be able to join the other finalists in D.C.,” McCauley stated. “We met with so many excellent educators and were inspired by all of their stories.”
After a visit to Capitol Hill and a Tuesday-night gala event, Crellin Elementary was honored for its “extraordinary commitment to educational excellence and innovation,” winning for its performance in mathematics.
“Improving math and science education is one of the critical issues we see facing the United States if it is to compete effectively in a global economy,” says Wendy Hawkins, executive director of the Intel Foundation.
“It is encouraging to see examples of such excellence from across the country. These schools launch their students on a path to lifelong learning with programs that are rich, exciting and demanding.”
The Intel Foundation chose its winners based on its criteria of extraordinary commitment to instituting 21st century teaching and learning environments, as well as the implementation of innovative programs that inspire students to excel in the areas of math and science.
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McHenry Water System Follow-Up Hearing Scheduled
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Sep. 29, 2011
The Board of Garrett County Commissioners will hold a follow-up hearing on the McHery Water System – Water Connection and User Fees and Connection Amortization Policy this Saturday, Oct. 1, at 9 a.m. in the Garrett College auditorium.
The event is scheduled to review and receive public commentary on proposed changes to the existing policy and to address questions on expansion of service to the water district.
The commissioners and GC Department of Public Utilities personnel have compiled answers to several questions that were presented during the initial public hearing on Aug. 27. These are available on the county government web site at garrettcounty.org.
Interested persons who may have questions on this issue are asked to attend the Oct. 1 hearing. For more information, one may call the DPU at 301-334-6983 or the county administrator or commissioners at 301-334-8970.
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Upcoming Events at Deep Creek Lake & Garrett County
Events for October 2011
Garrett County Chamber of Commerce
Oct 1 The Haunted Shack
Date: October 1, 2011
Website: http://www.wispresort.com EMail: info@wispresort.com
Oct 1 Fall Festival & Open House
Pumpkin carving, hay rides, dutch oven cooking, candle making, apple cider pressing & more! Friend’s Store will be open with craft demonstrations.
Date: October 1, 2011
Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location: Friend’s Store
Contact: 301.387.7067
Date/Time Details: 10 am – 4 pm
Oct 1 GFWC Civic Club of Oakland Centennial Celebration
The GFWC The Civic Club of Oakland, Inc. is celebrating its 100th Anniversary. More details will follow as the planning for this event is just beginning.
Date: October 1, 2011
Time: 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Location: TBD
Contact: Barbara Frantz, President
EMail: barbarafrantz@verizon.net
Date/Time Details: October 1, 2011/6 PM
Fees/Admission: TBD
Oct 2 SuGO Sunday. Family LEGO Robotics
Design & build a LEGO Sumo Robot to push your opponents off the competition ring. Rookies welcome.
Date: October 2, 2011
Time: 1:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Website: http://www.SuGObot.com Location: 116 Industrial Park Dr., Accident, MD
Contact: 301.387.2331
Date/Time Details: 1 pm – 4:30 pm
Fees/Admission: $10 per team
Oct 4 Tuesday $3.50 Movie of the Week Special
Bring the entire family to Garrett 8 Cinemas for our select movie of the week for only $3.50. Movie showtime listings are available online at www.garrett8cinema.com or 301.387.2500.
Date: October 4, 2011
Website: http://www.garrett8cinema.com Location: Garrett 8 Cinemas
Contact: 301.387.2500
Date/Time Details: All Day
Fees/Admission: $3.50 per person
Oct 7 Day of Caring/Sharing
United Way of Garrett County will have volunteers working at various locations in the county. Free to participate. Free t-shirts, breakfasts and lunch for participants.
Date: October 7, 2011
Location: Oakland Fire Hall
Contact: 877.597.2700
Date/Time Details: 8 am – noon
Oct 7 – Oct 9 The Haunted Shack
Open Friday, Saturday, Sunday night.
Date: October 7, 2011
Website: http://www.wispresort.com EMail: info@wispresort.com
Oct 7 Relay For Life Interest Rally
Residents of Garrett County—we need your help! We want to make the 2012 Relay For Life of Garrett County the best one yet, but we need committee members and teams to make that happen! Come learn about all the exciting ways to get involved in your Relay For Life event. All are welcome!
Date: October 7, 2011
Time: 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM
Website: http://www.cancer.org Location: Grantsville, MD – Ruth Enlow Library
Contact: Brittany Friend
EMail: brittany.friend@cancer.org
Date/Time Details: October 7th / 3:30-5:00 PM
Fees/Admission: None
Oct 8 Geocaching 101
The Maryland Geocaching Society will be presenting an introductory course for those interested in geocaching. The class is free of charge and a limited supply of GPS units will be available for loan during the class.
Date: October 8, 2011
Location: New Germany Lake House
Contact: 301.895.5453
EMail: park-new-germany@dnr.state.md.us
Date/Time Details: 9 am
Oct 11 Relay For Life Interest Rally
Residents of Garrett County—we need your help! We want to make the 2012 Relay For Life of Garrett County the best one yet, but we need committee members and teams to make that happen! Come learn about all the exciting ways to get involved in your Relay For Life event. All are welcome!
Date: October 11, 2011
Time: 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM
Website: http://www.cancer.org Location: Kitzmiller, MD – Town Hall
Contact: Brittany Friend
EMail: brittany.friend@cancer.org
Date/Time Details: October 11th / 3:30-5:00
Fees/Admission: None
Oct 12 – Oct 16 44th annual Autumn Glory Festival
Listed the #1 Fall Festival in the world by msn.com, this five-day celebration with beautiful fall foliage, parades, craft shows, live entertainment, car show and pumpkin festival. Additional information about specific events will be added as they are confirmed. Call 301.387.4386.
Date: October 12, 2011
Location: Garrett County, Maryland
Contact: 301.387.4386
Oct 12 Dogsledding Presentation and Kennel Visit
Enjoy an educational and entertaining dogsledding presentation. Grill mushers; see equipment; hug gorgeous and friendly HUSKIES; watch an exciting film of them working/pulling (or see a real team run if it’s cold enough) and learn a lot! No reservations required this day. It is a two hour program starting at 10 am. Price: $20 each.
Note: We offer this same tour (but by reservation only and with a minimum price) almost every day. Please see our website for more info: “Tours” page.
Date: October 12, 2011
Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Website: http://www.HuskyPowerDogsledding.com Location: Husky Power Dogsledding at Mountain MD Kennels, LLC
Address: 2008 Bumble Bee Road, Accident, MD 21520 — Three Miles from Wisp – near the Airport in McHenry
Contact: 301-746-7200
Date/Time Details: 10 am – noon
Fees/Admission: $20
Oct 12 Relay For Life Interest Rally
Residents of Garrett County—we need your help! We want to make the 2012 Relay For Life of Garrett County the best one yet, but we need committee members and teams to make that happen! Come learn about all the exciting ways to get involved in your Relay For Life event. All are welcome!
Date: October 12, 2011
Time: 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM
Website: http://www.cancer.org Location: Garrett College – Continuing Education Building, Room 203
Contact: Brittany Friend
EMail: Brittany.Friend@cancer.org
Date/Time Details: October 12th / 3:30-5:00 PM
Fees/Admission: None
Oct 12 Autumn Glory Festival Kick-Off Dinner
The Garrett County Chamber of Commerce invites you to kick off the 44th Annual Autumn Glory Festival at the Lodge at Wisp Resort. The Dinner is sponsored by Clear Mountain Bank. Music will be provided by The Remedy and is sponsored by Wisp Resort.
Date: October 12, 2011
Time: 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Location: The Lodge at Wisp Resort
McHenry, MD
Contact: Charlotte Sebold 301-387-6171 Fax 301-387-2080
EMail: charlotte@garrettchamber.com
Date/Time Details: 6:00 pm Social Hour
7:00 pm Dinner
8:00 pm Program
8:30 pm Music
Fees/Admission: Tickets ($195 per couple)
Tickets ($100 per individual)
Corporate Table Seating 8 ($750)
Oct 12 Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra “Ballroom With A Twist”
Be dazzled as an astonishing line-up of stars from American Idol, Dancing With The Stars, So You Think You Can Dance and High School Musical joins Marvin Hamlisch and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra in “Ballroom With a Twist”. Call the Garrett Lakes Arts Festival for tickets ($35 each) and details about carpooling from Garrett College
Date: October 12, 2011
Time: 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Website: http://www.artsandentertainment.org
Location: Morgantown, WVU Creative Arts Center
Contact: Garrett Lakes Arts Council 301.387.3082
EMail: glaf@artsandentertainment.org
Date/Time Details: October 12, 2011 7:30 PM
Fees/Admission: $35.00
Oct 13 Relay For Life Interest Rally
Residents of Garrett County—we need your help! We want to make the 2012 Relay For Life of Garrett County the best one yet, but we need committee members and teams to make that happen! Come learn about all the exciting ways to get involved in your Relay For Life event. All are welcome!
Date: October 13, 2011
Time: 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM
Website: http://www.cancer.org Location: Oakland, MD – Ruth Enlow Library
Contact: Brittany Friend
EMail: brittany.friend@cancer.org
Date/Time Details: October 13th / 3:30-5:00 PM
Fees/Admission: None
Oct 14 – Oct 15 The Haunted Shack
Open Friday, Saturday night.
Date: October 14, 2011
Website: http://www.wispresort.com EMail: info@wispresort.com
Oct 15 – Oct 16 Autumn Glory Craft & Gift Sale
We have a new and expanded location for this year’s Autumn Glory Craft & Gift Sale presented by Susquehanna Bank. The show will be located in the New Exhibit Hall at the Garrett County Fairgrounds on Route 219 (Garrett Highway) in McHenry, MD. This year’s Craft and Gift Sale will be October 15-16, 2011. The new location allows more space for crafters, all exhititors will be in the centralized location and we will have plenty of parking spaces for our shoppers. We will have a wide variety of crafts and gifts including woodworking, candles, painted decor, jewelry, specialty foods and much more. Hours are 10 AM – 6 PM on Saturday and 10 AM – 4 PM on Sunday. You will love our new show and our new location.
Refreshment sales benefit Hospice of Garrett County.
Free admission.
Date: October 15, 2011
Location: New Exhibit Hall
Garrett County Fairgrounds
Route 219, Garrett Highway
McHenry, MD 21541
Contact: Charlotte Sebold 301 387-6171
EMail: charlotte@garrettchamber.com
Date/Time Details: Saturday, October 15, 2011 10 AM – 6 PM
Sunday, October 16, 2011 10 AM – 4 PM
Fees/Admission: Free Admission
Oct 16 Great Pumpkin Festival
Pumpkin, Hooligan races plus Kayak and Raft races. Benefits the Dove Center.
Date: October 16, 2011
Website: http://www.adventuresportscenter.com Location: Adventure Sports Center International
Oct 16 Dogsledding Presentation and Kennel Visit! (2)
Enjoy an educational and entertaining dogsledding presentation. Grill mushers, see equipment, hug gorgeous and friendly HUSKIES, watch an exciting film of them pulling (or the actual team running when it’s cold enough) and learn alot! No reservations required this day. It is a two hour program, starting at 10:00am. We offer this same tour (but by reservation and minimum price) almost every day. Please see our website for more info. $20/person.
Date: October 16, 2011
Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Website: http://www.HuskyPowerDogsledding.com Location: HUSKY POWER DOGSLEDDING’s home kennel
2008 Bumble Bee Road
Accident, MD 21520
ONLY FIVE MINUTES FROM THE WISP, near the GC Airport
Contact: Linda or Mike Herdering
EMail: Linda@HuskyPowerDogsledding.com
Date/Time Details: Wednesday Oct. 12, 2011
10:00 am to noon
Fees/Admission: $20 per person
Buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland? Call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!
Bayard residents could see post office closure
‘A great pall’ falls over town
Emily Newman
Cumberland Times-News The Cumberland Times-News Thu Sep 29, 2011, 11:16 PM EDT
BAYARD, W.Va. — With more than 300 residents, all receiving their mail through post office boxes in Bayard, the United States Postal Service has announced that Bayard is on the list for the next round of possible closures.
“A great pall fell over our town when it was announced that our post office was being considered for closure,” said Mayor Steve Durst on Thursday morning.
A meeting was held Wednesday night to get public input on possible closure.
The letter also stated that in the event that it does close, Bayard residents will be able to get their mail at the Gormania Post Office, which currently serves around 25 residents.
“Personally, I want no post offices closed, but in this matter it makes better sense if one has to be closed, that Gormania’s be closed,” said Durst.
USPS takes into account several factors, including the revenue and working hours that the post office operates.
Gormania shows higher revenue than the Bayard post office and more hours worked. Durst said that one of the reasons for this is that the Bayard post office provides the post office boxes to every resident free of charge, and Gormania charges an annual fee.
Durst said that since the bridge from Bayard to Garrett County closed in 1988, Bayard has lost the business of people living just across the line in Maryland. Now to reach Bayard, people travel around Gormania. Durst said that this accounts for Gormania’s higher revenue.
“Presently, some people walk to their (post office box) located here in Bayard and have no means of doing otherwise,” said Durst.
Each post office being reviewed will have a feasibility study and public meetings before ultimately being closed. Cathy Yarosky, a representative from the USPS, said that right now, there are no certain plans.
“No decision has been made,” said Yarosky. “We look at a lot of criteria.”
If the post office would be closed, there are several options for people to get their mail.
The mail could be rerouted through Gormania, where residents would have a new post office box, the post office could put up a free-standing post office box or it could organize a village post office in one of the local businesses.
Durst said that none of these options is viable, since residents would have to travel a round trip of five miles to pick up their mail in Gormania, there would be no one to maintain a free standing box and that businesses are required to absorb the expense of operating a village post office.
In an effort to stop the process, Durst has written multiple letters to U.S. Sens. Jay Rockefeller and David McKinley. He said that both senators are behind the post office staying open, as is state Delegate Allen Evans.
“The Postal Service has an obligation, under the law, to make sure that rural customers have reasonable access to mail services,” said Rockefeller in a letter to Durst. “I will be closely monitoring the closure process to make sure that the Postal Service is living up to these important responsibilities.”
Both Durst and his wife, Glenna, presented formal responses at the meeting, which approximately 60 people in the Bayard area attended.
“Bayard is incorporated with a volunteer fire department, a police department, a bank … two businesses … two churches and close to 300 people. It seems to me that it makes more sense to keep a post office here than in a small community, like Gormania,” said Glenna, adding that, obviously, Gormania would not like to lose its post office either.
Emily Newman can be contacted at enewman@times-news.com
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Constellation Energy Begins Construction on Maryland's Largest Solar Photovoltaic Power System
BALTIMORE, Sep 29, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) — Constellation Energy today announced that its retail energy business affiliate has started construction on a 16.1 megawatt DC grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) solar installation in Emmitsburg, Md. Part of the state of Maryland’s Generating Clean Horizons initiative, the approximately $60 million solar facility will be financed, owned and operated by Constellation Energy. Renewable electricity produced by the system will be purchased by the state of Maryland’s Department of General Services and the University System of Maryland under 20-year solar power purchase agreements.
“Our state’s growing ‘green’ sector is vital to our ability to create jobs and compete in the new economy,” said Gov. Martin O’Malley. “I’d like to thank Constellation Energy for their commitment to helping us move toward our renewable energy goals. Together, we will continue to make Maryland a leader in the nation’s efforts for clean energy, bring more green jobs to our communities and create a more sustainable future.”
Constellation Energy employs approximately 75 people to construct the solar installation, and expects that workforce to reach a peak of 150 people during the height of construction. The system is scheduled for operation in early 2012 and is expected to produce more than 22 million kilowatt hours of emissions-free electricity per year. Generating the same amount of electricity using nonrenewable sources would result in the release of 15,170 metric tons of carbon dioxide or the equivalent emissions from 2,975 passenger vehicles annually, according to U.S. EPA data.
“Projects like this are part of Constellation Energy’s commitment to provide clean energy products and services for our customers, both in Maryland and nationally,” said Mark Huston, head of Constellation Energy’s retail energy business. “Constellation Energy’s new 70-megawatt Criterion Wind Project, located in Garrett County, Md., meets the clean energy needs of approximately 23,000 households. We look forward to developing additional renewable projects that will help Maryland meet its environmental goals.”
Buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland? Call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!
